Native American, United States and Canada, Pacific Northwest Coast, probably Tlingit, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved whale bone pectoral in the form of a large tooth or a dagger. The thicker 'handle' end features a recumbent zoomorphic creature, perhaps an abstract saurian, with a circular eye, an aquiline beak, and a scaly belly below a ridged back. The 'tail' emanating off the back of the crouching creature tapers to a point a depicts perhaps an avian head - its orientation upside-down in relation to the larger creature - with a large eye and a crosshatched lower jaw on each side. Given the lack of suspension holes, this pectoral was likely tied around the head of the larger figure for suspension. Size: 6.875" L x 1.125" W (17.5 cm x 2.9 cm)
Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection
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#171052
Condition
Minor abrasions, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina with smooth surfaces throughout.